Alphonse isidore geavieb



(No Model.)

A. I. GRAVIER.

REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC ARC LAMPS. No. 278,304.

Patented May 22,1883.

N. FEIERS. Pham-Lit ho n har. waslun mn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ALPHO NSE ISIDORE GRAVIER, OF PARIS, FRANQEQ REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC-ARC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,304, dated May 22, 1883.

7 Application filed February 9. 1882. (No model.) Patented in France August 5, 1880, No. 138,111 in Belgium November 11, 1881, No.

56,201; in England December 3, 1881, No. 5,295 in Germany December 18, 1881,, No. 20,824 in Italy December 1!), 1881, No. 13,691,

and in Austria-Hungary February 10, 1882, No. 41,480.

public of France, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Regulators for Electric-Arc Lamps, and for other purposes, of which the following specification is a full description. i

This invention has for its object more particularly to control the feed of the carbons in an electric-arc light, so that the said feed takes place regularly with small variations in the resistance of the arc.

It is common in electric lamps to have the feed of one or both carbons controlled by an electro-magnet excited in the circuit or in a x branch thereof, and connected with the mechanism for-feeding the carbon or carbons, so that whenever the points burn away and make the arc over long the currentthrough the magnet is increased or diminished to such an extent as to attract or release its armature, thus operating the feed mechanism to move the carbons toward each other, and shortening the arch to the proper extent. Ordinarily the magnet which directly controls the feed mechanism is affected directly by the rise and fall of current in its own coils, due to the varying resistance of the are; but such apparatus has been found to respond only to comparatively greatvariationsinthe arc. 'loobtainincreased sensitiveness, the magnet which directly controls the feed mechanism is connected in or out out of circuit by means of a relay or automatic switch, which, as it is only required to make and break electrical contacts, maybe much more sensitive than the feed-magnet proper. The more delicate instrument responds to slight changes in current, and deflecting the current or a portion thereof through the feed-magnet causes a large variation in the strength of the latter, and makes it effective to the operation of the feed.

Heretofore the following apparatus, using a relay or automatic switch, have been devised or adopted First, a relay or automatic switch has been placed in the main line and combined with an electro'magnet placed in a shunt or branch, for effecting or controlling the feeding together of the carbons or electrodes as they are consumed, the relay or automatic switch serving to connect the said magnet in circuit or to cut it out by making or breaking the continuity of-the shunt or branch, according to the increase or decrease of the current on the line; second, a relay or automatic switch placed in a shunt or branch around the arc has been combined with a motor or electro-dynamic ap paratus in the main line for separating the carbons or electrodes when energized and for a feeding them together when the current is in whole or in part diverted, the relay or automatic switch serving to connect in or cut out the motor or electro-dynamic apparatus by making or breaking a short circuit around the said apparatus, according to the increase or V decrease of current in the shunt or branch.

The present invention comprises certain new arrangements and combinations of parts.

First. The relay or automatic switch is placed in a shunt or branch around the arc; but in stead of being combined with a motor or apparatus for separating the carbons or'for feeding them together, according as the contact of the relay or switch is open or closed, it is combined with an-electro-magnetic feed mechanism for feeding the carbons together or arresting their approach, according as the contact is closed or'opened. The advantages of this new combination are in the sensitiveness of the apparatus and in the good conditions of feeding. The relay or switch, if placed in the main line, should havecoils of coarse wire and low resistance, whereas when placed in a shunt or branch they should be of fine wire and high resistance, and the effect of the variation may therefore be multiplied to a very large extent. The feed of the carbons, when a motor or apparatus for both separating and feeding them is combined with a relay or switch, takes place by a series of reverse or reciprocatingmovements, whereas with the mechanisnrforsuccessively feeding and arresting the carbons the feed is by successive movements in the same direction, which, occurring at very short intervals, approximate a steady, progressive placed in a shunt or branch around the arc, and the feed-magnet is also placed in a shunt or branch instead of in the main line. Vith this arrangement the sensitiveness of the relay or switch in the shunt is secured, and at the same time the objectionable feature of having the whole or the main part of the current (supplying the lamp) pass through the contacts ofthe relay or switch is avoided.

Third. The relay or automatic switch is placed in a shunt or branch around the arc, and the feed-magnet is placed in a shunt or 1 anch of which the switch-lever forms a part, so that the shunt or branch, and consequently the circuit through theieed-magnet, is broken when the relay or switch contact is opened.

Fourth. The electrical connections of the relay or automatic switch and the magnet or electro-dynamic part of the feed mechanism are so arranged that the alteration in connections or switching of the current whereby the said magnet is operated to feed the carbons together changes the strength of current through the relay or switch in such way' as to restore the connections previously existing. In the first apparatus, including a relay or automatic switch above described as having been heretofore devised or adapted, when the arc elongates the current in the relay or switch diminishes and thelatter closes a contact, whereby thefeed-magnet is energized to feed the carbons but this alteration in connections opens a new circuit around the relay or switch and still further diminishes the current, so that the contact is not broken until the carbons have been brought closer together than their normal distance. In the second of said apparatus when the arc elongates, the current in the relayor switchincreases,and the latter closes a contact, whereby the motor is weakened to allow the carbons to approach; but this alterteraets the variation in current which produced the alteration, so that the feed is promptly arrested. The relay or automatic switch being placed in a shunt or branch around the are, as indicated under the first, second, and third heads, it follows that when thearc elon gates the currentin the relay or switch increases, and the latter then alters the connections of the feedmagnet so as to cause the approach of the carbons; but this alteration,.instead of causing an increase in the current, diminishes it so that the switch-lever promptly returns to its passive position.

Fifth. A solenoid or magnet permanently placed in the main line and operating to separate the carbons is combined with. the feed mechanism, comprising a feed-magnet, which is energized and tie-energized by a relay or automatic switch in a shunt or branch around the are, making and breaking a contact.

Sixth. An adjustable rheostat is combined with an arc-lamp, the feed of whose carbons 0 is regulated by a magnet or electro-dynamic apparatus in a shunt or branch, so that the length of the arc can be controlled from adistance.

The invention consists in the above-indicated new arrangements and combinations severally, and in their union in a single apparatus or lamp.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,,Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, showing the regulator and feed mechanism and internal connection of an arc lamp embodying the invention; and Fig.

2, a View of the lamp with external circuits and regulating rheostats or artificial resistances. 8

The lamp shown is known as Serrins. .It

is taken as a type of an arc lamp.

A B are the two carbons or electrodes. The upper carbon, A, is fastened in the lower end ot'a sliding holder, U, which engages a train of gears, whereofD is the escape-wheel. The escape-wheel D is engaged by a hook on the armature E of an clectro-magnet, F.

G is a second electro-magnet, which has for an armature a polarized plate or needle, II, which is journaled in metallic or conductive supports I, attached to but insulated from the frame K. The end of the shaft of said armature carries a suitable contact-arm, L, with which is connected a light spring, M, the tension of which may be adjusted by a screw in the usual manner. The spring antagonizes the attraction of the magnet on the armature. The arm L plays between stops U N, of which the latter, N, is insulated from the support I, to-ro;

which it is attached.

P Q, are the principal binding-posts, and It an auxiliary post. The electrical connections are as follows: from binding-post P, by pin S, to wires a I) 0. Wire a conveys the current to the upper carbon. Wire b is a shunt or branch around the carbons or electrodes. It includes the coils of magnet Gr and leads to the post 1%. Wire cis electrically connected with the support I of armature H, and through said support and the armature-shaft with the contactarm L. The stop N is connected with the post R by the wire (I, which includes the coils of magnet F. The magnet G, with its accessories, thus constitutes a relay or automatic switch, of which the local shunt-branch or loopcircuit 0 (1 includes the coils of magnet F. Whenever the current ,in the coils of magnet Gr is suificient to turn. its armature H against the force of the antagonistic spring M the arm Lma-kes contact with the stop N and closes theznormally-open branch or loop a d, and thus connects in circuit the magnet F. The completion of the circuits through magnet F immediately causes it to attract its armature E, whereupon the escape-wheel D is released and the upper carbon is fed down. This action takes place whenever the resistance of the arc increases to a sufiicient extent. Only a very slight increase is necessary, since the relay or automatic switch is very delicate, and a slight increase in the resistance causes a comparatively large eifect. The escape-wheel is checked almost immediately by the breaking of I the branch circuit through the magnet F and the release of the armature E. As the carbons burn away there occur alternately engagements and disengagements of the escape-wheel, which engagements and disengagements take place so rapidly that the upper carbon may be said to have practically an uninterrupted progressive movement. The weight of-the sliding carboufholder G furnishes the power to advance the carbon and revolve the gears controlled by the escape-wheel D. The lower carbon or electrode is connected with the core of a solenoid, W, which draws down the lower carbon to establish the arc. The exterior circuits are preferably connected as shown in Fig. 2'that is to say, the direct conductor is connected with the post P, and includes an adjustable rheostat or resistance,X. The return-conductor is connected with the post Q, and a branch of the return-conductor is connected with the post R, the said branch including the adjustable rheostat or resistance Y. By means of those rheostats or resistances the length of the arc can be regulated. The adjustment of the antagonistic spring of the relay or automatic switch also furnishes a means of regulating the length of the arc. \Vhenever the difference in potential of the two ends of the shunt or branch containing the relay or automatic switch exceeds the normal, the resistance of the shunt-branch being constant, the current through it correspondingly increases and causes the relay or automatic switch to connect in the electromagnet, which immediately restores the normal difl'erence by diminishing the resistance in the main line. The diversion of the' current through the feed-magnet diminishes the current through the magnet of the relay or switch, so that the latter is quick to restore the previous condition and to cause the arrest of the carbon-holder before the carbons can be brought too close together.

Having now fully described my said invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect, what I claim is I 1. In combination with the carbons or electrodes of an electric lamp, a relayor automatic switch included constant] yin a shuntor branch around thearc, and feed mechanism controlled by an electro-magnet for causing or arresting the approach of said carbons, so that the feed takes place by successive movements always in the sa'me dircction,the electro-magnet afore-' said being connected in or cut out of circuit by said relay or automatic switch, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the carbons or electrodes of an electric lamp, a relay or automatic switch included constantlyin a shunt or branch around the arc, and a feed mechanism. c011- trolled by an electro-magnet in a shunt or branch which is connected in or cut out by said relay or switch, so that the whole or principal part of the current supplying the lamp is not obliged to pass through the feed-magnet or contacts of the relay or switch, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the carbons or electrodesot' an electric lamp, a relay or automatic switch included constantlyin a shuntor branch around.the arc, and a feed mechanism controlled by a feed electro-magnet in a shunt or branch which includes the contacts of the said relay or switch, so that the latter breaks the circuit through the feed-magnet by the separation of the contacts, substantially as described.

' 4. An electric lamp comprising, in combination, the following elements: a relay or auto matic switch, feed mechanism controlled by an electro-magnet which is connected in or cut out by said relay or switch, and electrical connections arranged, as described, so that the alteration in the connections by the relay or switch changes the strength of current through the relay or switch in the direction for restoring the connections previously existing, substantially as described. v

5. The combination, with the carbons or electrodes of an electric lamp, of feed mechanism controlled by an electro-magnet, a relay or antomatic switch included constantly in a shunt or branch around the are for connecting in circuit and cutting out the feed-magnet,'and a solenoid or magnet in the main line for separating the carbons, substantially as described.

6. In an electric-arc lamp and in combination with the electric regulator excited in a shunt or. branch around the are for controlling the position of the carbons or electrodes, an adjustable rheostat placed in said shunt or branch, so that the length of the arc may be regulated from a distance by changing the resistance of the shunt or branch, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two suloscribing witnesses.

ALPHONSE ISIDORE GRAVIER.

Witnesses:

ALFRED (JoINY, RoB'r. M. HoorER. 

